Uncorking a Story

From Ghosts to Grace: How Kirsten Mickelwait Found Healing Through Storytelling

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This episode is brought to you by Mike Carlon's latest novel, the Waiting Room. Check out that #1 New Release in Inspirational Spiritual Fiction Here


We all have resources inside ourselves. We can get through just about anything. — Kirsten Mickelwait


In this moving and insightful episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike welcomes Kirsten Mickelwait—copywriter by day, author by night—whose memoir The Ghost Marriage explores her journey through profound loss, forgiveness, and unexpected spiritual awakenings. Kirsten opens up about how writing became a healing force in her life, why resilience matters, and the soulful inspiration behind her debut novel The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty. From exploring the parallels between the roaring 1920s and today, to discussing empathy’s role in both fiction and marketing, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Writing as Healing — How Kirsten used memoir writing to process grief, anger, and forgiveness after a painful divorce and the death of her ex-husband.
  2. Unexpected Spiritual Journeys — The role of mediums and spiritual life coaching in shifting her perspective and healing old wounds.
  3. Resilience in Action — How persistence and inner strength helped her navigate financial hardship and life as a single mom.
  4. Parallels Across Time — Insights on the surprising similarities between the post-pandemic world and the 1920s Lost Generation.
  5. Empathy in Fiction — Why walking in your characters’ shoes is everything when writing compelling, emotionally honest stories.
  6. Marketing with Heart — The subtle but vital role of empathy when writing for audiences in marketing and PR.
  7. Pandemic Silver Linings — How a writers’ group during COVID reignited her creativity and led to the completion of her novel.

    8. Buy The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/42UYDJJ

    Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798888246931


    Connect with Kirsten

    Website: https://www.kirstenmickelwait.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.mickelwait

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmickelwait54/


    Connect with Mike

    Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/

    If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.


    #UncorkingAStory #KirstenMickelwait #MemoirWriting #AuthorInterview #WritingAsHealing #GhostMarriage #HistoricalFiction #LostGeneration #EmpathyInWriting #Resilience #SpiritualAwakening #WomenWriters


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    Uncorking a StoryBy Michael Carlon
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